Now That Christmas is Over, People Can Be Awful Again

Image Source: Pixabay
United States
December 27, 2017 8:53pm CST
Yesterday afternoon I made the mistake of venturing out into the stores with my sister. We wanted to see if Target had any good deals on holiday snacks (particularly the gourmet popcorn they sell,) and also the Goodwill was having a 50 percent off sale so we wanted to check that out. The mall is right in that area so we wandered through there too. I ended up regretting going out in public, however. The Goodwill wasn't too bad, just really crowded. One lady blocked an aisle with her cart as she went hog-wild over some packages of Depends she found (which, eww. Who buys used things like that?) Someone else blocked the other end of the aisle, so my sister and I ended up waiting for a long while to get through, since neither person was moving. So that was annoying. But, I ended up getting a couple things for a very good price, so that was good. Then we went over to the mall and stopped by Sears to use the restroom. While I was using the restroom, some woman came in with her demon children and her holy terror of a son tried to kick my stall door down when it wouldn't open on his first try. This particular restroom has big gaps between the stall doors and the walls, so you can clearly see when one is in use (I hate that, as it's always awkward if you accidentally make eye contact with someone on the other side of the gap.) Anyway, I ended up yelling at the kid. His mom didn't even tell him to knock it off or anything. Then when I exited the stall, this brat and his sister (both who looked to be between 9-11 years old; in my opinion that boy was way too old to be using the ladies room, especially if he was going to behave like that) took forever at the only two sinks, so I had to wait to wash my hands. Then brat boy flicked water all over my sister! Once again his mother just stood there and watched him do it without saying anything. I felt like flicking water all over that kid, or boxing his ears or something. I hate when people drag their kids out in public and just allow them to act like little hellions without getting on them for it. When I was a kid, I would have gotten my ass beat for acting like that! Then we went to Target, which requires using the crosswalk to get across the street. We had the green light giving us the right of way to cross. Once again, the cars at the intersection just plowed through, almost running us over. One driver even slowed down, looked right at us, and waited until we were right in the middle of the crosswalk before he stepped on the gas and came flying at us. I yelled at that person but his window was up so I doubt he heard me. By that point I was in a very foul mood. This is at least the fifth time in the last month alone that drivers have tried to run us over while crossing at that intersection. I guess they feel their time is more valuable than the lives of pedestrians. They are in such a rush that they can't wait an extra 10-15 seconds to let us cross the street safely. Target was a madhouse and they didn't even have any good deals (or the gourmet popcorn we were looking for.) Some annoying kid kept growling like a rabid dog through the store. There were unruly kids running everywhere and their parents were just letting them. Their parents might think they're adorable and charming, but nobody else does. It's their parents' jobs to make sure they behave in a civilized manner so they don't grow up to be -- well, the type of people who try to run pedestrians over or just stand by and let their own kids try to break down a bathroom stall door when the toilet is in use. So, yeah. I hate people. And I know I have to go out to the grocery store tonight to grab a few things. Hopefully it won't be too peopley out then. I've been debating since last night whether or not I want to write a letter to the editor about the drivers trying to plow down pedestrians at that one crosswalk, but it's not like many people read the local newspaper anymore anyway. I might write one anyway. Because I am sick of other people having such disregard for my life (and my sister's) when we're out walking. Pedestrians have the right to use the road, too. I guess expecting drivers to obey the law is too much. I think I'm going to invest in an air horn and start honking it at cars next time this crap happens. Have you encountered any badly behaved people recently?
13 people like this
13 responses
• Valdosta, Georgia
28 Dec 17
Not trying to defend, I know there are some awful behaved kids out there but just a thought. There was a little boy I babysat for who was autistic. He would throw fits, and act like he was not ever disciplined but it was his autism that he could not help. He looked much older than he actually was-which didn't help either. His mom took him to DMV one time and he had one of his fits. Since autistic children don't look any different than any other kids another mom told her daughter see that is how you NEVER act when we go somewhere honey to her daughter. It was very judgmental since obviously she did not know he had autism. I'm very careful when I see little ones acting out-you just never know the situation...
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec 17
Very true. I try to engage the child, and, failing that (which is rare), let it go.
2 people like this
• United States
28 Dec 17
That may be true, but do all kids have autism nowadays (as all children seem to act like that in public anymore.) And autism is not an excuse for behaving like that toward other people, his mother should have done something when he was trying to kick down a stall door that was obviously in use, or flicking water at people. Someday he will have to learn to function in society.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
28 Dec 17
@Srbageldog Oh no of course not all children do but again not all kids are bad either. My children know how to behave when we go in public-they know better than to embarrass me. Lol. I agree, the mother should have stopped him.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Dec 17
I have no problem calling out people like that who refuse to discipline their children or address issues with them when out in public. And I will be as loud as possible so everybody within a 100-foot radius can hear. And I will make it as embarrassing as possible for that parent. I've actually had people in the crowd clap, cheer, and thank me for speaking out loud what everyone in the place was thinking. Because I'm cool like that. haha
2 people like this
• United States
31 Dec 17
I wish I could be like you! I have really wanted to say something so many times when people just let their kids act like heathens in public. I always fear that their mothers might try to fight me or people will act like I'm awful because "what if that kid has autism?" (Not every badly behaved child has autism and I'm not going to assume that about every brat running wild in the store.) Maybe I should just stop caring what others think and start speaking up about it. Because it is definitely a huge problem here. You can't go to our mall anymore without kids slamming into you because apparently malls are a "family place" now (no longer a place for teens to hang out) and "family place" means parents can ignore their kids and just let them just tear up the place.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Dec 17
@moffittjc The grocery store I shop at is sometimes the worst. Mothers just let their 'little darlings' run wild while they completely ignore them to do their shopping. Grocery stores were not meant for kids to throw balls back and forth across the aisles. I don't know how many times I've almost gotten hit by a flying ball because parents let their children use the store as a park.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Dec 17
@Srbageldog I don't think our local mall has gotten bad like that, but I definitely see the "wild kids running around" issue at many stores I go to. If it's bad enough to ruin my shopping experience, I will just leave the store and let management know that they lost a sale because they can't/won't keep their customers under control.
2 people like this
@AngelesF (311)
• Spain
4 Jan 18
Unfortunately, we also "have" this type of parents here in Spain. It's really annoying! When I was a little girl is had been punished if I had had such behavior! Sorry so much you had such a bad experience!
1 person likes this
@AngelesF (311)
• Spain
4 Jan 18
@Srbageldog Welcome,.and yes, that's the point. Sometimes, ideas like telling the kids "please, don't do that" cross mind but if I do that, I'd have to hear the parents saying it's not my business! Really annoying.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jan 18
@AngelesF It's the same way here! Sometimes I will (loudly) complain to the person I'm with about the unruly children, which I guess is a passive aggressive approach. But if you say anything to the children or the parents, you're risking a fight!
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jan 18
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear that you also deal with this sort of thing in Spain too! I guess some parents everywhere feel like they don't have to discipline their kids.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec 17
Used Depends?
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
Yeah...
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
@Marty1 I don't even know why anyone would donate those items to the Goodwill, or why they would put them out on the shelves!
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec 17
@Srbageldog The Humanity.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
28 Dec 17
I read your title and all I thought was "when did people stop being awful?" Sorry people are careless jerks and almost hit you again. Also sorry you didn't get what you went for. Stupid parents no way are bratty kids cute!
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
Haha, right?? People are just awful, period! Thanks. I am sick of people trying to run us down. Eh, it happens, I probably didn't need more gourmet popcorn anyway. That stuff is addicting and I will just sit there stuffing my face with it. Some parents encourage their kids to act like that and be disrespectful to others. (My bf's older half-sister does that, and then blames everything on "behavioral problems," even though she does nothing to try to correct their behavior. She has no respect for authority or other people and is raising her kids the same way...they'll probably wind up in prison like their dad.) Anyway, I can't stand it. Kids like that make me grateful I don't have any kids.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Dec 17
@Courtlynn I prefer being around cats! Humans are just stupid, especially when there's a bunch crowded in one space. The gourmet popcorn comes in different flavors, like chunky chocolate and macadamia nut caramel... there was also cinnamon pecan, dark chocolate and sea salt, and Holiday drizzle...they are soooo good! Right?? Why on earth do parents insist on dragging kids out in public when they act like little monsters? Leave them home, hire a babysitter or something.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
28 Dec 17
@Srbageldog exactly! Thats why i like animals more than humans. And I'm bot even a big fan of animals! . Oh thats true.. is it the popcorn tin with like 3 flavors or something? Thats what we used to get when we all ate popcorn.. Right some just dont care. Fine, let your kid treat you like crap and rule your house but at least keep them in the house if you arent going to teach them better for when they're in public.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9764)
• Philippines
4 Jan 18
You were so busy dispensing cheers and goodwill during the holiday season you didn't notice. People don't change their character just because it's Christmas.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jan 18
This is true. But children sometimes behave better because they think Santa is watching...when he's not watching, I guess they can go back to being little heathens again.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jan 18
@josie_ Some do, when they are still young. I think anymore many parents are teaching their kids that there is no Santa, because they believe it's an indoctrination to religion (an invisible judge watching over you at all times.) I have encountered many parents who refused to "lie" to their kids about Santa, but that is denying them the magic of childhood, in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9764)
• Philippines
5 Jan 18
@Srbageldog _With all the technology available, do children still believe in Santa?
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
i work in housekeeping-that's almost every day. yea that's one of the big reasons i hate the holidays..people being fake like they're nice for presents.and some of them don't even try. as far as the depends go-i'd whoo hoo too.those things are hell expense,and my mom needs them.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
Oh, I can imagine how bad it is working in housekeeping! People are disgusting. And I also hate the holidays for that reason. I didn't look too closely, it's possible the Depends weren't even open...it was just the idea of buying something like that "used." Like buying a pre-owned bag of pads.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
28 Dec 17
Nothing like that lately.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
That's good, I hate dealing with people who can't behave in public.
@LadyDuck (454910)
• Switzerland
28 Dec 17
I have not encountered so badly behaved kids, but I have not even noticed that people were nicer before Christmas.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454910)
• Switzerland
28 Dec 17
@Srbageldog parents should understand that they are not their kids best friends, they have to be a guide and to teach them to behave. We are lucky with kids here.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Dec 17
@LadyDuck I agree. The parents who try to be their kids' best friends usually wind up with kids who walk all over them and who are a menace to society. (Not always, but sometimes that is the case.) I have often wondered if parents are the same way with the lack of discipline elsewhere, or if it's just an issue in the U.S.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
In the U.S. we have a problem with parents not disciplining their children. Some parents try too hard to be their kids' friends and just let them get away with murder. This is true, people are always awful, even during the holidays.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
28 Dec 17
Sorry you had to experience all that. I generally avoid places with a lot of people because of that. It doesn't happen to me very often but I've realized that it's more common in crowded places. So I try to avoid crowds altogether.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
You are smart to avoid crowds. I wasn't expecting it to be so crazy out yesterday, at least not in those places. I think I will steer clear of the stores for a while.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11038)
• Hyderabad, India
28 Dec 17
This is a typical Non-urban type of life there in the place.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Dec 17
Most places have family restrooms now and that is where boys that age should be with their mother. But I have not seen any wild kids lately, just babies crying in the carts. Yes I would have got my azz beat right there if I misbehaved. I would write city hall about that intersection as well as calling and asking the police to watch it because of all the times people are disregarding the law.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 17
Yes, exactly! I have never seen a boy that old in the women's bathroom. That is way too old to be in there in my opinion. I can understand toddlers accompanying their moms, but once kids are school age they should be using the proper bathroom in public, or the family restroom. That is a good idea about writing city hall and asking the police to watch that intersection. There are other intersections that are very dangerous to cross in town (I used to be a crossing guard for an elementary school at one of those intersections) -- I find it despicable that people have such blatant disregard for the law, or the safety of others.
@Daljinder (23222)
• Bangalore, India
4 Jan 18
I am glad that I haven't yet seen such behaviour by children in the Malls or shopping centres. yet.Although, I have seen that at some local restaurants. Usually, parents do control them. Speaking of Indian traffic, well I wouldn't even go there. That is a nightmare!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jan 18
I am glad to hear that such behavior isn't common there and that parents usually control their children. I wish it was that way here! I can imagine traffic is a nightmare! It is bad here, with people not paying attention to the roads, their noses glued to their phones or some other task, and some of them just not caring that they are sharing the road with pedestrians.